Portugal has become one of the world’s most sought-after destinations in recent years. The climate, food, and diverse, beautiful scenery appeal to all types of visitors. To make the best of your trip to Portugal it is important to plan the date of your visit according to your plans and travel style. Check out the best time to visit Portugal based on your preferences and expectations. Tip: stick around to the end of the article for exclusive insider advice from our team of local experts.
When Is the Best Time to Pay a Visit to Portugal?
In 2023 Portugal has received over 30 million visitors from all around the globe, drawn by its unique cultural, gastronomic and touristic attractions. When it comes to deciding “when to visit Portugal?”, the answer seems simple: anytime. Yes, the weather is pleasant year-round, and the country offers a dynamic mix of nature’s best landscapes, interesting big cities, and even small idyllic villages.
However, as with any destination, planning your visit according to the regions you want to see and the experiences you wish to have can be beneficial.
We will guide you through how each time of the year unfolds in this enchanting country, in order to help you make the best decision when it comes to when the best time to go to Portugal is.
How is The Weather in Portugal Throughout the Year?
One of Portugal’s biggest draws is its weather. The country enjoys many sunny days and relatively stable temperatures from season to season compared to other parts of Europe and the world. Summers can get hot, and winters can be cold, though not as extreme as some other places. Below are the average maximum and minimum temperatures for each month in Portugal, which might help you decide when is the best time of year to visit Portugal.
The Best Time to Travel to Portugal Depending on What you Want to Do
If you are flexible with your travel dates, we recommend considering what you want to do in Portugal as your starting point, rather than just focusing on the weather. That holds true especially for destinations that, like Portugal, have comfortable enough temperatures any time of the year.
Do you want to attend a specific festivity or are you just looking forward to soaking in the sun? Are you planning to treat yourself to some luxury or do you need to keep under a certain budget? Whatever your wishes are, here is a guide to the best times to visit Portugal to fulfill your desires.
The Best Time to Visit Portugal on a Budget
Generally, Portugal is an affordable destination but, as at any other touristic destination, the best time to travel to Portugal on a budget is during the low season, which brings savings on transportation, accommodation, and tourist attractions.
Portugal’s Travel Seasons:
- High Season: June to August
- Shoulder Season: April to June, September to November
- Low Season: December to April
Best Time to Visit Portugal for Shopping
If you’re planning to shop in Portugal, try to visit during the saldos, the clearance sale periods. The biggest saldos usually happen twice a year: winter clearance from late December up to the end of February and summer clearance from mid-July to mid-September roughly.
Of course, shopping is a year-round activity in Portugal holding in its big cities all main international brands. Sales are just the perfect opportunity to find great deals to take home with you.
The Best Time to Visit Portugal’s Beaches
For a relaxed beach visit, summer offers peak sun and warmth. However, it is also the most crowded season, with temperatures often exceeding 30ºC or 86ºF. If you prefer fewer visitors, consider visiting in May, June, or September. The weather will still be warm but with fewer people. This is also maybe the best time to visit the Algarve, where the weather is always on the warmer side.
Just keep in mind that the already chilly Portuguese waters will be considerably colder during those months. Still worth it, if you ask us.
The Best Time to Visit Portugal to See Snow
Portugal holds many surprises and, yes, snow is one of them. It happens only a few times a year and only in some locations, like Serra da Estrela, a beautiful mountain inlaid in the centre of the country, where there is a beautiful Ski Resort and Station with 22 tracks.
This is why if you want to see the Portuguese snow, the best time to travel to Portugal will be from December to March, during the winter. Booking your ticket for January will increase your chances of experiencing snow or maybe even skiing if this is something you appreciate or are eager to try.
However, bear in mind that, unlike other Northern countries, snow in Portugal is not a given. Be ready to leave without seeing snow falling from the sky and prepare your trip to have other winter-friendly activities as well.
The Best Time to Visit Portugal to Attend Music Festivals
Portugal hosts a variety of music festivals that cater to all tastes. As a mainly outdoor activity, most Portuguese Festivals happen during the summer.
That is the case for:
- Festival Jardins do Marquês
- Sumol Summer Fest
- NOS Alive
- MEO Marés Vivas
- EDP Cool Jazz
- Super Bock Super Rock
- MEO Sudoeste
- Neopop
- Bons Sons
This is just to name a few. Every two years, Rock in Rio Lisboa also brings its city of rock to the Portuguese summer.
Standing out from this crowd, you have other notable festivals:
- Sintra Festival (May)
- Somersby Out Jazz (May-September)
- MIL Lisboa (September)
- Festival Iminente (October)
- Super Bock Stock (November)
The Best Time to Visit Portugal to Enjoy the Carnival
Do you wish to experience a little bit of Carnival but have no plans of going to Brazil? Portugal can give you a small taste of this upbeat popular festivity in February. Lisbon features street parades in Alfama and closed parties like Baile da Colombina Clandestina, which happens at a place called Voz do Operário, a cultural and learning centre that has its very own mystic.
However, the most famous carnival parade in Portugal takes place in Torres Vedras. A short 40-minute drive from Lisbon will transport you to the most traditional Portuguese take on this secular festivity.
When is the Best Time to Visit Portugal to Experience the Popular Festivities
As a result of Portugal’s long catholic tradition, much of its rich cultural heritage is undeniably intertwined with religious symbols. Yet, some traditions like the Santos Populares Party became so wildly popular that, despite of their devoted origin, they are now festivities that welcome and engage all. In Lisbon, the festivity is an homage to Saint Antony. In Porto, it honours Saint John the Baptist.
Nowadays they offer locals and visitors the chance to take to the streets of the city and spend the night eating traditional petiscos sold in stalls, drinking wine, beer or sangria while dancing and listening to live music. To see with your own eyes what these amazing colourful festivities are all about, June is the best month to visit Lisbon and also Porto.
The Best Time to Visit Portugal to be Enchanted by the Night Lights
Christmas time in Portugal can be very magical, with cities adorned with lights and decorations and traditional street markets.
December may be the beginning of winter, but when it comes to Portugal, that still means positive temperatures. For those living in the Southern part of the globe, this means experiencing Christmas time in a cosier way, reminiscent of what we grew up seeing in movies. For those who come from Northern countries, this is the chance to have a warmer Christmas, without losing all its winter charm.
The Best Time to Visit Portugal for Smaller Crowds
At this point must be easy for you to guess: if you want to avoid the period with the main affluence of visitors, you should keep away from summertime. May to mid-June and September are good options, as the weather is still pleasant, but hotels, restaurants, and attractions will be much more calm and less disputed.
The Best Time to Travel to Portugal by Region
Some Portuguese regions shine even brighter in specific times of the year. Although summer tends to make every single part of Portugal comes alive, it might pose some difficulties in regions where the heat can get overwhelming. On the other hand, springtime and autumn have their own colours, beauties and experiences to offer.
Depending on where you are planning to spend your days after landing, it might be case to choose some of the alternative months to make the best of your time and of each of these unique locations.
When to Visit Lisbon
Lisbon gets really colourful and full of attractions during the summer, from the end of June to the end of August. But it also gets more expensive and crowded. Visiting the city in May will give you the chance to see the beautiful purple Jacarandá threes in bloom while still enjoying the great spring weather.
However, if you prefer to see the leaves turning orange, note that Autumn is a beautiful time in Lisbon as well and September will bring together the beginning of this lovely season with a last reminiscent of the summer heat.
When to Visit Porto and the North Region
Porto is the second biggest city in Portugal, and like its capital, gets more calm in late spring and early autumn. From April to October the city, as well other destinations located at the Northern part of Portugal, will offer great views, sunny days and pleasant temperatures.
When to Visit the Algarve Region
Being a famous and beautiful coastal region, the southernmost point in Portugal truly peaks during summertime. This is when you get to really enjoy everything the Algarve has to offer: all the restaurants and bars are open – some of them only work during the high season-, and the sun never fails to shine. However, May and June could be a less crowed option with a good chance form warm weather.
When to Visit the Alentejo
If you are visiting the Alentejo you have a great opportunity to make a memorable trip during the shoulder season, as the summer can get too hot and dry. February and March will bring some gifts from nature such as the blossom of the Almond trees and the spring of the wildflowers. As this is a great destination for hiking, with a total of 450km (nearly 280 miles), it is best to keep away from the rainy season. Autumn can also be enjoyed in a cozy rural hotel, around the delicious the delicious cuisine of this region.
When is the Best Time to Visit Portugal: Monthly Weather and Rainy Season
If there is one thing that every traveller wishes to avoid, that thing is rain. It may be beautiful and necessary, but it also makes moving around much more difficult and uncomfortable. That is why you should take note that Portugal’s rainy season is between November and February.
As for the temperature, it can get cold and hot in some parts of the year, but never too extreme.
How is Portugal in Each Season
Although we advise you to choose the best time for you to visit Portugal according firstly to your travel plans, it comes in handy knowing how each season of the year looks and feels like on your destination.
If you're eager to delve deeper into what each season has to offer, Portugal Homes got you covered with our detailed guides on Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter in Portugal by selecting the season that piques your interest. Click on the corresponding square below to discover more about the best activities, weather patterns, and experiences for each season, helping you plan your perfect visit or move to Portugal.
The Best Month to Visit Portugal According to Our Team of Experts
With so many options, it can be hard to choose the best time to visit Portugal. That is why we decided to bring some inside “data” that might give you an extra helping hand. We asked our Portugal based team of experts on what time of the year they would advise visiting Portugal according to their knowledge and personal experience.
- May: 10 out of 33 respondents recommended May for its warm weather, fewer crowds, and affordable prices.
- September: 9 respondents recommended September for similar reasons.
Most others voted for summertime, while one person preferred March, when the weather is not too warm, and cities are full of space, and another October when the beautiful Autumn scenery is starting to take shape.
Looks like we don’t have any winter enthusiasts in our team, which probably explains why they chose to call Portugal their home.
Portugal Homes: Why Visit Portugal When You Can Call Portugal Your Home
Although the warmer months are more attractive for most, including our team of experts, it is undisputed that Portugal is a country that can be enjoyed all year long. Here at Portugal Homes, we are highly prepared to help you experience Portugal like a local, starting with obtaining your Residency by Investment Visa, to finding you the perfect home and then taking you through every step of the way until you are here, enjoying every season, festivities, festival and landscapes. And even after you move, our After Sales Property Management team is able to assist you with everything you need.
Contact us so we can start your journey to making Portugal your home.
